Here they come!

It’s that time of year again: bags are packed, students are excited, parents are wondering how quiet their homes are going to be in a few weeks, and roommates are already getting to know each other on Facebook. The fall semester at Denison is about to start, and along with returning students, the college is geared up to welcome the newest Denisonians, the Class of 2014.

“This is another talented and diverse group of first-year students,” says Perry Robinson, vice president and director of admission. “Denison is the first-choice college for a growing number of outstanding students from around the country and overseas. We are particularly excited that this class is the most diverse in the college’s history, with 30 percent being multicultural students.”

By the Numbers

Members of the Class of 2014 hail from 39 states and 20 foreign countries and more than 80 percent graduated from secondary school with distinguished academic honors. Twelve percent are first-generation college students, and more than 80 percent graduated in the upper fifth of their class. In addition, this class includes 12 National Merit finalists. The average SAT composite score for the class is nearly 1300 and the average ACT composite score is 28, an all-time high. And the average GPA for the entire class is above 3.5.

Denison’s Class of 2014 is impressive outside the classroom as well, with 21 class presidents, 512 athletes (including 116 who earned all-state recognition), 146 musicians, 413 who were involved in school-related clubs, and eight Eagle Scouts. More than two-thirds have participated in significant community service projects, and more than three-quarters have held full- or part-time jobs through the school year.Off to a Great Start

To help prepare the incoming class, Denison holds several orientation programs during the summer. Along with a June session and the general three-day orientation held just before the start of fall semester classes, Denison also offers pre-orientation programs for students with specific interests:

International Student Pre-Orientation, for international students and U.S. students who have been living abroad;

Paving the Way Pre-Orientation is open to all entering students and is specifically designed to assist those in traditionally under-represented student populations, and includes programming that continues throughout the academic year;

Denison Outdoor Pre-Orientation is an opportunity for 48 new students to transition to college life and form friendships while hiking and camping in West Virginia’s Otter Wilderness Area.

Denison Service Pre-Orientation is an intensive direct-service experience, with 24 students spending several days in Washington, D.C., working on issues related to homelessness, hunger, and health.

Denison Experience in Urban Culture and Expression (DEUCE) is a chance for 24 new students to experience the arts in Philadelphia, interacting with artists, and creating their own art in response.

Important Fall Semester Dates

Thursday, Aug. 26: Residence halls open for first-year students; Move-In Day begins at 8:30 a.m.; Induction of Class of 2014 at 7 p.m.